Does Physical Dance Training with Virtual Games Change Muscle Quality of Community-Dwelling Older Women?

The aim of the study is to analyze the effects of physical dance training with a virtual game on muscle quality (MQ) of community-dwelling older women. In total, 46 older women participated in the study and were assigned to either a control group (CG, n = 25, 71 ± 5 years) or training group (TG, n = 21, 69 ± 4 years). The following assessments were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks: quadriceps, ankle plantar flexor, and dorsiflexor isokinetic peak torque (PT) (Biodex System 4 Dynamometer); quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) measured using magnetic resonance imaging; intramuscular noncontractile tissue (IMNCT) (Image-Pro Plus 4.5.0.29 for Windows); and MQ (ratio of quadriceps PT to CSA). Each week for 12 weeks, the TG undertook three 40-minute sessions of physical training with the "Dance Central" game for Xbox 360^® with Kinect, while the CG was instructed to maintain usual activities of daily living. The TG increased quadriceps eccentric PT at 60°/s (P = 0.04) and ankle plantar flexor concentric PT at 60°/s (P = 0.02) when compared with the CG. No significant difference in quadriceps CSA, IMNCT, and MQ was observed. Physical dance training with virtual games can increase quadriceps and ankle plantar flexor strength without changing IMNCT and MQ of community-dwelling older women. Trial number: RBR-8xkwyp (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br-Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry).